by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Finally! After four consecutive second
place finishes, Aritzia Hanover ($4.80) wiped away the runner up blues by
capturing Buffalo Raceway's featured $9,000 pace on Wednesday night in a
seasonal best 1:57.1 over the fast track.
Drew Monti in the meantime had no issues finding the
winner's circle as he posted a six-bagger to take over the lead in the driver's
standings. Monti now has 66 victories and holds a four-win advantage over Shawn
Gray who sits in second place with 62.
Starting the from rail, Aritzia Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.)
played hard ball to the opening quarter pole, snuffing out the leave attempts
by Validus Deo and Sgt Molly Pitcher.
With fractions of :28.4, :58.3 and 1:28.3, the pace setting
Aritzia Hanover was primed for the closers. Validus Deo lost any chance by
jumping off stride in the passing lane but Hey Kobe (Jim Morrill Jr.) was in
hot pursuit on the outside.
Aritzia Hanover managed to cling to the narrow neck victory
as Hey Kobe drifted wide in deep stretch to come up just short. Sgt Molly
Pitcher (Ron Beback Jr.) took the show position.
Co-owned by the Vogel & Wags Nags Stable and Pine Hill
Racing LTD, it was the third win in 10 attempts in 2018 for the 7-year-old mare
Aritzia Hanover (Bettor's Delight-Attitude Hanover). The victory pushed her
earnings this year to $21,760 and $176,521 lifetime.
Davis Jr. had a double on the card while trainer JD Perrin
scored a pair of wins.
Racing will resume on Saturday night with an 11-race program
set. There's a special post time of 7 p.m. to accommodate the running of the
Kentucky Derby.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays, results, entries and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
